"Absolute shock, I couldn't possibly believe that this was the way it is," said Curtis' friend, John Markham.

Curtis is an orphan turned financier turned philanthropist. But now, the 63-year-old is a federal suspect, accused of stealing from the very charity he helped create.

Curtis founded Kentucky Harvest in 1987. The non-profit takes unused food from restaurants and other food suppliers and gives it to those in need.

It spawned USA Harvest and Blessings In A Backpack, and Curtis helped bring both to life.

On Wednesday, he was charged with seven felony counts of mail fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns.

Prosecutors said from 2005 to 2007, Curtis stole more than $183,000 in donations that were supposed to go to USA Harvest.

They also said Curtis failed to report more than $550,000 in personal income from the non-profit, including $370,000 in travel expenses he charged to the group, but used for his own meals, entertainment and travel. "I just don't believe most of this stuff. I don't believe that Stan would do that," said Markham. "Stan was a giving person, a loving person.

Markham said Curtis' motives were always pure.

"He didn't do it for money, not as far as I can see. Everything that we did was for the community," said Markham.

He can't believe a man who devoted much of his life to feeding those in need could be accused of stealing from them instead.

"I don't care what people tell me, I'd like to see the evidence, and I haven't seen it," said Markham.

Curtis's attorney said that he expects the case to be resolved quickly.

The date for his first court appearance has not yet been set.

Blessings In A Backpack issued a statement that reads in part, "We are gratified that Blessings was at no time wronged by Mr. Curtis. As an organization, we remain focused on feeding children one backpack at a time, one school at a time."

None of the charities connected to Curtis are accused him of any wrongdoing.